Window cleaner



United States Patent 3,342,740 WINDOW CLEANER Jerzy E. Kazmierczak, Chicago, Aaron B. Herrick, La

Grange, and Armando Carlo, Chicago, Ill., assignors to Armour and Company, Chicago, 11]., a corporation of Delaware No Drawing. Filed June 7, 1965, Ser. No. 462,130

5 Claims. (Cl. 252-153) This invention relates to a window cleaner composition and more particularly to a novel aqueous solution comprising a specific and unique water soluble silicone glycol copolymer, a glycol and an alcohol solvent, a surfactant, water, and, if desired, ammonia. This composition is a most effective window cleaner, as will be demonstrated hereinafter, for both spray bottle or aerosol container application.

A good window cleaner should have excellent soil and grease removability, good hard surface detergency (that is, capable of removing hard crusted dirt deposits and other types of soils), be non-streaking, fast drying, impart an anti-fogging characteristic to the clean glass, and be easily dispensible for convenience of use. If aerosol application is desired, it should also be non-flammable and be able to create a foam which breaks easily, yet does not run. The window cleaning components will thereby re main in situ until rubbed off.

There are a number of window cleaner compositions currently marketed, which meet some of the above specifications, but not all of them. Since this decides consumer acceptance, it behooves the trade to market a window cleaner which is the best obtainable. The most popular window. cleaner has only fair grease and soil removability and it does impart very little anti-fogging property to the cleaned glass, but it is non-streaking in its aerosol form and is non-flammable, so it is acceptable even though it could be improved. Another glass cleaner, but less popular, had good hard surface detergency and imparts anti-fogging to the clean glass. Unfortunately, however, it frequently leaves heavy streaks on the glass after cleaning. Two other fairly popular glass cleaners unfortunately have poor hard surface detergency, do not impart an anti-fogging characteristic to the cleaned glass and both are flammable as aerosols. So, as can be seen, there is much room for improvement.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel improved window cleaner composition.

Another object is to provide a window cleaner composition which is uniquely suitable for either mechanical spray bottle or aerosol application.

' composition which is non-streaking.

Another object is to provide a window cleaner composition which does not form an unsightly film on the glass surface after cleaning.

Another object is to provide a window cleaner composition which imparts an anti-fogging characteristic to the glass.

Another object is to provide a window cleaner composition which is freeze-t-haw stable.

,Another object is to provide a window cleaner com- I position which, as an aerosol, produces a desirable foam to retain the cleaning composition in situ but which breaks easily when rubbed with a cloth or paper tissue.

Another object is to provide a window cleaner composition which, as an aerosol, has good spray characteristics.

3,342,740 Patented Sept. 19, 1967 "ice Another object is to provide a window cleaner composition which, as an aerosol, is non-flammable.

Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part appear hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the composition of matter possessing the characteristics, properties, and the relation of constituents which will be exemplified in the composition hereinafter described, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

In accordance with the above objectives, a novel soluble window cleaner composition has now been found which comprises a unique water-soluble silicone, a solvent, a surfactant, water, and ammonia, if desired. This composition may be applied by spray bottle, by aerosol, or by direct mechanical application, and, in each instance, it is superior to currently-known marketed compositions. In addition, it is economical to produce, has an attractive appearancecrystal clear, and is shelfstable.

More particularly, the window cleaner composition which accomplishes the above objectives comprises 0.1 to 2.5% by weight, and preferably 0.18% for the spray bottle form, and 0.20% for the aerosol form, of a unique water soluble silicone glycol copolymer, such as Silicone XF-l-0182 and XF-1-1005 manufactured by the Dow Corning Corporation of Midland, Mich. or L-520, L-530 and L-531 manufactured by Union Carbide Corporation; 1.5 to 4.0% by weight, and preferably 2.7% for both spray bottle and aerosol form, of a glycol, 10 to 30% by weight, and preferably 28% for the spray bottle form, and 18% for the aerosol form, of an alcohol; 0.1 to 0.5% by weight, and preferably 0.22% for both forms, of a surfactant, particularly a nonionic, such as an alkylphenol polyoxyalkylene ether, especially Surfonic LF-7 as manufactured by the Jefferson Chemical Company of Houston, Tex.; and the balance water. Ammonia (1.0 to 5.0%, and preferably 1.0% for the spray bottle form and 1.5% for the aerosol form) of 26 Be. 29.4% active is also preferably-used in the composition.

For the aerosol form, a propellant must be used. It is preferred that the propellant be a fluorocarbon, such as a 35-65 part mixture of dichlorodifluoromethane and dichlorotetrafluoroethane (Freon 12 and Freon 114, respectively, as manufactured by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del.). The propellant should constitute about 8 to 15% and preferably 10% of the total contents of the aerosol container, and the pressure should range, fora three-piece can, from 35 to 40 p.s.i.g., and generally, 36 to 39 p.s.i.g. The three-piece can terminology is standard in the trade and identifies the number of sheet metal parts used to manufacture the can.

The inclusion oif the silicone glycol copolymer ingredient utilized in the above described composition is probably one of the main reasons for the fantastically successful results of the window cleaner composition. It comprises a copolymer of dimethylsiloxane and ethylene oxide-propylene oxide moieties joined by SiC linkages. It is substantially non hydrolyzable and will not hydrolyze. Its function is to reduce friction during cleaning, thereby necessitating less effort. It also imparts the antifogging characteristic to the window being cleaned. In addition, it imparts sheen to the glass. Uniquely, it is water soluble. This is in contrast to other glass cleaner compositions wherein the silicone is not soluble. The cleaner composition formed therefrom is, therefore, stable for longer periods of time. The emulsion window cleaners currently sold are unstable, so that separation, poor appearance, and poor performance results.

The glycol solvent in the composition of this invention functions as the solvent for dirt on the window being cleaned, and may comprise any aliphatic glycol such as following ingredients is formulated using the same techethylene glycol, propylene glycolmonoethyl ether, butylene glycol monoethyl ether or mixtures of said glycols.

The alcohol component may comprise an alcohol having from C to C carbon atoms, such as methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, and sec-butyl alcohol. Its function is that of a solvent for the dirt on the window. It also imparts a freeze-thaw stability to the composition so that the composition will be stable even should it be accidentally frozen.

The nonionic surfactant component aids in solubilizing the various components of the composition. It also acts to loosen the dirt on the window being cleaned. It is preferably an alkyl aryl polyalkylene glycol ether, such as alkylphenol polyoxyalkylene ether. The alkyl group has a chain length of 8 to 12 carbon atoms. The alkylene portion comprises ethylene or propylene oxide moieties numbering from 6 to 16.

The ammonia component acts as the deodorant. It also functions as a cleaning agent in the composition. Other deodorizers can be utilized as substitutes, but since the American housewife has associated cleanability with the ammonia odor, it is preferred.

The invention is now described in detail by reference to specific formulations and comparisons of said formulations to existing commercial products.

Example III When a formulation is desired for aerosol application,

90% of the formulation of Example 11 is admixed with 10% propellant comprising 65 parts dichlorotetrafluoroethane (Freon 114) and parts dichlorodifluoromethane (Freon 12) and packaged in an aerosol container with a valve to a pressure of 36-39 p.s.i.g.

When the mixture is sprayed upon glass disposed vertically, a foam will be produced which does not drip. The foam, however, breaks easily when rubbed with cloth or tissue paper. This characteristic is highly desirable because it holds the cleaning composition in situ until the foam is broken.

The spray is also non-flammable as measured by the 1.0.0. flame extension test and closed drum test which is another attractive feature of the formulation. Certain city, state and federal authorities require extra shipping and packaging precautions and undesirable hazardous substance labeling on the can if the mixture is flammable.

In comparing the above formulations to currently marketed glass cleaner formulations, the following results are obtained:

TABLE I.COMPARISON 0F WINDOW CLEANERS Hard Surface Streaking or Aerosol Flammability Antl-Fogging Easy Rub-0i! Detergency 1 film Formation Property Property Most Popular Marketed Product (Aerosol) Fair N Peon- Competitive Product N o. 2 (Aerosol) Poor Sli t None. Competitive Product No. 3 (Aerosol) do Very flammabl Competitive Product No. 4 Goo Heavy- G Formulation of Example I (Spray Bottle Application)--- Excellent N 5 Formulation of Example III (Aerosol) do Not flammable do Hard surface detergency.-Regular windows could not he used in Percent evaluating soil removal due to uneven soil distribution and the nature Carbon black..- 1. 5 of soil. So, a standardized test was developed to assure reproducibility Carbon tetrachloride 45.

of results. The test involved use of a modified commercially marketed Gardner apparatus to standardize both the speed and the pressure applied while cleaning glass. The modified Gardner apparatus utilized consists of a metallic holder (in which a sponge soaked with the window cleaner is placed) which moves back and forth at constant speed and. also exerts consistent and equal pressure on the pane of glass used. An automatic counter records the number of movements made by the holder with the sponge thereon on the surface being cleaned. The glass plates are coated with a uniform film oi artificial soil which consists of:

A window cleaner composition is formulated by simply dissolving the following ingredients in the water component:

Example I Parts by wt. Water 65.30 Ammonia (26 B.) 3.60 Ethanol 28.00

cellent. t

Another window cleaner composition comprislng the nique as in Example I:

Surfonic LF-7 (alkylphenol polyoxyalkylene ether) 0.25 Silicone XF-1-0182 0.20 Diethylene glycol monoethyl ether 3.00

I Antiiogging.-Two methods are used:

(a) One half side or a glass plate is cleaned with the window cleaner composition being tested. Then the entire glass plate is exposed to steam. If the cleaned halt side of the glass plate remains transparent, as contrasted to the other half side which will be logged,

From the above data, it will be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained, and, since certain changes may be made in the above composition of matter without departing from the scope of the invention,

it is intended that all matter contained in the above description shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a. limiting sense.

It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific fea- 0 tures of the invention herein described and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by Letters Patcut is:

1. A window cleaner composition consisting essentially of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight of a water soluble silicone glycol copolymer, 10 to 30% by weight of a C to C alcoholic solvent, 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant and the balance water.

2. A window cleaner composition consisting essentially of 0.1 to 2.5% by weight of a water soluble silicone glycol copolymer, 1.5 to 4.0% by weight of a glycol, 10 to 30% by weight of a C to C alcohol, 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of 7 a nonionic surfactant and the balance water.

3. The window cleaner composition of claim 2 wherein 1.0 to 5.0% by weight of ammonia, 26 B. 29.4% active, is also added.

4. An aerosol container packaged non-flammable window cleaner composition consisting essentially of about 85 to 92% of a composition comprising 0.1 to 2.5% by weight of a water soluble silicone glycol copolymer, 1.5 to

4.0% by weight of a glycol, 10 to 30% by weight of a C to C alcohol, 0.1 to 0.5% by weight of a nonionic surfactant, and the balance water; and 8.0 to 15% of a fluorocarbon propellant.

5. The aerosol container packaged window cleaner composition of claim 4 wherein 1.0 to 5.0% by weight of ammonia, 26 B. 29.4% active is also added.

- 6 References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 7/1956 Guss 106-13 8/ 1958 Haluska 106-287 4/ 1962 Perlman et al 252--153 4/1966' White 106-13 5/1966 Metters 106-13 FOREIGN PATENTS 10/1938 Australia.

LEON D. ROSDOL, Primary Examiner.

W. S. SHULZ, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A WINDOW CLEANER COMPOSITION CONSISTING ESSENTIALLY OF 0.1 TO 2.5% BY WEIGHT OF A WATER SOLUBLE SILICONE GLYCOL COPOLYMER, 10 TO 30% BY WEIGHT OF A C1 TO C4 ALCOHOLIC SOLVENT 0.1 TO 0.5% BY WEIGHT OF A NONIONIC SURFACTANT AND THE BALANCE WATER. 